New York Mets: Happy Anniversary, Jose...An Extension Is on the Way

As Mark Hale of the New York post wrote early this morning (click here for full story), today marks the 11-year anniversary for the Mets signing of Jose Reyes. Reyes was only 16 when he was originally signed by the Mets to a non-drafted free agent contact in August of 1999.

In 2006 the team decided to give their star shortstop a four-year contract extension worth $23.25 million with a club option for 2011. Well here we stand with the stench of the 2010 season growing as repugnant as ever and most hopeful of eyes have begun glaring into what one can only hope will be a brighter 2011.

Obviously the philosophy can change, but the Mets plan to pick up Jose Reyes’ club option this winter and explore signing him to another long-term deal, a person familiar with the team’s thinking told The Post yesterday.

Reyes is the longest tenured Met on the roster but his numbers alone (especially his .316 OBP out of the lead off spot) may not point to him being worth $11 million next season and there’s speculation that the team would like to package his 2011 option together with future years at a lower annual salary when working out an extension.